Best Public Schools in Mount Carmel, PA

The city of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania is home to three public schools serving grades K-12: Mount Carmel Area Elementary School, Mount Carmel Area High School, and Mount Carmel Area Junior High School, all part of the Mount Carmel Area School District. The data reveals that these schools are consistently underperforming compared to state averages, particularly in math and science, and serve a high-need student population.

Mount Carmel Area Elementary School stands out as the largest with 790 students, but has the lowest statewide rankings and test scores, especially in math. In contrast, Mount Carmel Area High School has a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 87.5% and low dropout rate of 1.6%, though its test scores on Keystone Exams are below state averages. Mount Carmel Area Junior High School has the highest free/reduced lunch rate at 100%, indicating significant economic need among its students, and its test scores on PSSA exams are also below state standards.

Across all three schools, statewide rankings have declined over the past 3 years, suggesting the district is not keeping pace with improvements in other Pennsylvania schools. The consistently low performance and high-need student population raise concerns about equity and access to quality education for students in Mount Carmel. The district may need to implement targeted interventions and strategies to improve student outcomes and ensure all students have the resources and support they need to succeed.